Editorial: Molecular targets for anticancer drug discovery and development

Abstract

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Steps involved in the process of discovering and implementing pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. SNP - single nucleotide polymorphism, PGx—pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.

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Introduction

The advantages of molecularly targeted therapies are apparent and are the force behind the fast-growing area of small molecule anticancer drug discovery and development. There is a growing list of approved targeted therapies with remarkable success rates (Issa et al., 2021; Sun et al., 2021). These treatments can be administered orally and reduce the threat of immune responses, which is a considerable advantage compared to injections. However, there are challenges as orally administered drugs must contend with immense pharmacokinetic barriers such as pre-systemic metabolism. Nevertheless. anticancer small molecule drug discovery and development is an urgent research matter due to the harsh consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, adverse events due to genetic variations in patients demand that pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic approaches be adopted in designing new drugs.

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics have become crucial research areas with advances in personalized medicine and resistance developed during cancer treatments. Genetic variations limit the effectiveness of many interventions where hormonal, molecular targeted, and chemotherapeutic therapies have been applied. Genetic variations within populations sometimes impact the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anticancer drugs (Ulrich et al., 2003; Marsh and McLeod, 2004; Tan et al., 2008). In turn, these genetic backgrounds affect the safety and efficacy of anticancer drugs, reinforcing the critical importance of rigorous research on genetic variations in developing personalized medicine (Carr et al., 2021). The variations may be caused by specific genetic lesions or associated with dysregulation of molecular pathways (Ulrich et al., 2003).

Using model organisms is crucial in discovering anticancer drugs and determining safety and efficacy. The application of the model organisms, such as Drosophila, is beneficial as the fly can be used in large numbers, is tractable, and provides data from a whole organism compared to cell culture.

Due to the lengthy periods taken to develop anticancer drugs de novo, repositioning approved drugs is preferred. This is possible due to the off-target effects that most small-molecule drugs have. The primary advantage of repurposing is the significantly shortened development time. Such repurposed drugs can be combined with other small molecules when there is synergy or complementarity with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Consequently, the ReDO project, which offers an online database of drugs, is an essential platform for oncology drug developers (Pantziarka et al., 2018). This database was developed by curating licensed drugs with published anticancer activity. The submissions in this collection could contribute to the ReDo project.

Highlights from contributing literature

A standout in this Research Topic is a research article by Alam et al., presenting a comprehensive bioinformatics study identifying critical molecules associated with breast cancer (BC). Utilizing 3-D structures, the authors screened the PubChem database, identifying 16 repurposable drugs, including mastinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for progressive muscle sclerosis. The study pinpointed eight robust BC-associated key genes (EGFR, FN1, EZH2, MET, CDK1, AURKA, TOP2A, and BIRC5) through bioinformatics and machine learning, delving into their mechanisms, regulatory influences, and prognostic significance. They suggested 16 promising repurposing drug candidates through molecular docking analysis, supported by an extensive literature review. Focusing on masitinib, they unveiled its anti-BC effects by impeding the mTOR signaling pathway and inducing apoptotic cell death. The findings suggest potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for BC.

A comprehensive study by Lee et al., reveals critical insights into genetic variants associated with gastric cancer (GC) and identifies potential drug target candidates relevant to anti-GC drug development. Following their exhaustive investigation and multifaceted functional analysis of reported genetic variants associated with GC, their findings strongly suggested that PRKAA1 emerged as a pivotal gene in the development of GC. Their results indicated that PRKAA1, integral to the PI3K-Alt-mTOR signaling pathway, holds promise as a potential target for future drug development to address GC, share insights into deploying machine learning in elucidating target molecules and pathways that may be amenable to drug design.

Elebo et al. present insights into the predictive value of molecular subtypes in treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Moreover, the article covers repurposed small-molecule drugs in preclinical and clinical studies. PDAC, whose survival rate is less than 5 years, remains one of the most critical cancers for urgent clinical attention, especially when it comes to diagnostic techniques. The authors conclude that the stratification of PDAC into clinically and genetically linked groups can potentially unveil novel biomarkers. They further state that embracing advanced technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cellomics could offer a more exhaustive classification of PDAC patients, delineating subtypes based on their biological characteristics, prognosis, therapeutic targets, and pharmacological drug responses.

Munnik et al., show that Drosophila melanogaster is a crucial platform in anticancer drug discovery and development, primarily as a screening platform and validating the drugs at the preclinical stage. The power of Drosophila is the genetic tractability in modeling a diverse range of cancers. The authors briefly explain that Drosophila possesses conserved genes, low redundancy, easy genetic manipulation, and a rapid life cycle. They suggest that Drosophila’s cost-effectiveness and ability to generate cancer models tailored to specific genetic requirements make them suitable for high-throughput screening of anticancer therapies. They further draw our attention to the fact that Drosophila models can assess FDA-approved drugs, study bioavailability and toxicity, and facilitate personalized therapy for cancers with multiple genetic mutations. In conclusion, the authors confirm that despite being in its early stages, heightened awareness and increased utilization of Drosophila in drug discovery can markedly decrease both the time and cost associated with developing anticancer drugs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this comprehensive collection fervently dedicates itself to identifying potential drug targets and advancing anticancer drug development. The accepted articles significantly contribute to the expansive field, focusing primarily on small-molecule drug discovery, with an emphasis on Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics in anticancer-targeted research. Noteworthy advancements showcased in the contributions promise to catalyze further progress, guiding both researchers and practitioners. By intricately exploring pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic factors (Figure 1), the collection illuminates potential drug targets, laying a foundation for tailored and efficacious anticancer therapies. Ultimately, this collection aspires to shape the future of anticancer therapeutics, offering valuable insights and propelling innovation within the scientific community.

Steps involved in the process of discovering and implementing pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. SNP - single nucleotide polymorphism, PGx—pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.